TEC

I love The Episcopal Church. It has been my adopted church home since 1996. It welcomed me with an invitation to communion that said: “This is the table not of the church, but of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love God and those who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little; you who have been here often and you who have not been here long; you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. Come, because it is the Lord who invites you. It is his will that those who want him, can meet him here.” That was just what I needed to hear at the time. 

I love the structure of The Episcopal Church. Ours is not a congregational polity. We are part of a larger body that includes our diocese, the national church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. We have bishops who are “called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church.” (BCP pg. 517) We have a Presiding Bishop who boldly proclaims that “we are the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement.”   

We will welcome our bishop this weekend for my installation, for Sunday services and for a visitation. We will be electing a new bishop for our diocese in April. This kind of inspiration, oversight and pastoral care is important. 

Our parish church is governed by diocesan and national canons (books of rules that have been approved at convention). Elected wardens and vestry members manage the finances and the property and work with the rector to assure the worship, formation, outreach and other ministries of the parish are functioning well. 

I recently read that “the rector’s primary task is to articulate, preach, teach, interpret, uphold, exemplify, shape and develop the stated vision of the parish so that the vision becomes the focal point for the congregation.” Our vision is “transforming lives through Christ.” My job is proclaiming, living out and implementing that vision. No small task… It can only be done with God’s help.

As I am officially installed as your rector on Saturday, I want you to know that I am honored to serve as your rector, and I will do my best, with God’s help, to live out my call to love and serve you.

Peace,

Bill+ .